Tomorrow residents across the city will be out celebrating National Night Out (NNO). NNO is an annual celebration sponsored and created by the National Association of Town Watch and designed for community members to get out into their community and show a since of unity and create a heightened awareness for crime and drug prevention ; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch is one of the many neighborhood goups that will be celebrating the event in their community. Specifically, the NLNW will be gathering at the 112th Street Gateway Park that they were instrumental in the development of. The group work with Mayor Tutunjian to design and then build the riverfront park. While the park is currently waiting for phase two of construction the group plans to meet and do some minor park maintenance and landscaping while enjoying a bar-b-que cookout.
Additionally, the group is pleased to once again welcome Pastor Willie Bacote and the Missing Link Street Ministry. Last year the group "marched against violence" from the Harry Dahl Firehouse at 115th Street and Fifth Avenue and ended in Powers Park with a cookout.
The group is asking for plant donations to be added to the plant beds. We are also asking that you bring a friend with you. Lets use this informal setting as an opportunity to "recruit" new members for our group. Strength is in the numbers when it comes to neighborhood watch's. The more people we have scanning the street and reporting activity the greatly increase our opportunity for success.
If your free and would like to stop by our or any other groups NNO celebration, please do. For an outline of the evening events citywide, click here.
Showing posts with label Tutunjian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tutunjian. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Troy's Wonderful Parks
One of the most valuable assets of any city is its parks. Clean and inviting parks are essential to many aspects of neighborhood development. Some of which include improving economic growth and sustainability, reduction in crime, improving residents physical and mental health, creating a strong sense of community, and supporting overall quality of life. All these and more are important to the prosperity of any community.
The city of Troy has over 20 municipal parks from Lansingburgh to South Troy. Many of these parks are little neighborhood pocket parks that offer community members a place to relax, bar-b-que, and include play ground equipment for children to enjoy. Growing up in South Troy I spent a lot of time playing baseball and enjoying the swings at the Canal Street Park. A lot of childhood memories revolve around that park and last year when it was renovated it ensured that many more memories will be had by other children. The Mayor and city’s Department of Parks and Recreation have taken a proactive approach in keeping these parks updated, safe, and clean for residents. These parks add to the neighborhoods luster and act as a major component in improving quality of life. Last year our neighborhood group, the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch, began construction on a new riverside park on 1st Ave and 112th St. This was a vacant, underutilized, city-owned property over grown with weeds. We submitted a plan to the Mayor as part of the CDBG process. The plan was accepted and now the land is underdevelopment. Phase one was completed last spring and phase two is slated to begin at any moment and once this phase is completed the park will be ready for use. This new 112th St. Gateway Park, just as the rehabilitation of the Canal Street Park, and the recent upgrades our neighborhood group assisted with at the 112th Street Park between 4th and 5th Ave.’s, becomes the catalyst community improvement. These simple infrastructure improvements not only beautify the area but they instill a sense of community pride and spirit in people.
I have always thought that Prospect Park was the crown jewel of the city. The vistas and tranquility the park offers is second to none in the Capital Region. For a while now I felt that the park was underutilized and opportunity was passing us by. That’s way I was pleased to learn that this will be addressed soon and Mayor Tutunjian will be investing in improvements to the park adding to park equipment and by making it safer and cleaner. Prospect Park is definitely a unique piece of property; if you haven’t been there take a trip it well worth the time.
Many people travel far and wide to enjoy parks throughout our region and state, but with the unfortunate closure of many state parks maybe now residents of Troy and the greater Capital Region will re-discover the wonderful parks right here in Troy, close to home, and literally right in our back yards.
To find the closest park to your neighborhoods and for a complete list of Troy's park Click Here
The city of Troy has over 20 municipal parks from Lansingburgh to South Troy. Many of these parks are little neighborhood pocket parks that offer community members a place to relax, bar-b-que, and include play ground equipment for children to enjoy. Growing up in South Troy I spent a lot of time playing baseball and enjoying the swings at the Canal Street Park. A lot of childhood memories revolve around that park and last year when it was renovated it ensured that many more memories will be had by other children. The Mayor and city’s Department of Parks and Recreation have taken a proactive approach in keeping these parks updated, safe, and clean for residents. These parks add to the neighborhoods luster and act as a major component in improving quality of life. Last year our neighborhood group, the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch, began construction on a new riverside park on 1st Ave and 112th St. This was a vacant, underutilized, city-owned property over grown with weeds. We submitted a plan to the Mayor as part of the CDBG process. The plan was accepted and now the land is underdevelopment. Phase one was completed last spring and phase two is slated to begin at any moment and once this phase is completed the park will be ready for use. This new 112th St. Gateway Park, just as the rehabilitation of the Canal Street Park, and the recent upgrades our neighborhood group assisted with at the 112th Street Park between 4th and 5th Ave.’s, becomes the catalyst community improvement. These simple infrastructure improvements not only beautify the area but they instill a sense of community pride and spirit in people.
I have always thought that Prospect Park was the crown jewel of the city. The vistas and tranquility the park offers is second to none in the Capital Region. For a while now I felt that the park was underutilized and opportunity was passing us by. That’s way I was pleased to learn that this will be addressed soon and Mayor Tutunjian will be investing in improvements to the park adding to park equipment and by making it safer and cleaner. Prospect Park is definitely a unique piece of property; if you haven’t been there take a trip it well worth the time.
Many people travel far and wide to enjoy parks throughout our region and state, but with the unfortunate closure of many state parks maybe now residents of Troy and the greater Capital Region will re-discover the wonderful parks right here in Troy, close to home, and literally right in our back yards.
To find the closest park to your neighborhoods and for a complete list of Troy's park Click Here
Monday, February 22, 2010
Garage Sale 'Cancelled'?
During last Thursday night's Finance Committee meeting of the Troy City Council I witnessed a disappointing display of self-important grandstanding. The agenda included a proposed ordinance for the sale of the Uncle Sam Parking Garage. Whether you are for or against this proposal you cannot agree with the manner in which Council President Clem Campana went about the matter. Without introducing the legislation, without any input or discussion from his fellow council members, Mr. Campana pulled it from the agenda and said he wouldn’t entertain the proposal.
This proposal has been delayed several times because Mr. Campana and the City Council needed to seek more information, which they received, and now that they have this information and should be able to make an intelligent decision yes or no; up or down, Mr. Campana decides to pull the ordinance. I hold no personal grudge against Clem, but this and other tactics from years past gives one the impression that there might be a personal agenda at stake here. It just stinks. Vote on the legislation, yes or no. All our councilman should be afforded the opportunity to perform their duties as legislators, not to have them hijacked.
In response to the actions displayed during last week’s meeting Mayor Tutunjian has now called a special meeting for Tuesday February 23 at 7pm in the second floor conference room of the new City Hall. Hopefully this time the eight elected officials, who were not included in the process of removing the ordinance, will be granted the opportunity of accepting or not accepting the proposed sale of the parking structure. But then again we are speaking of the Troy City Council...
This proposal has been delayed several times because Mr. Campana and the City Council needed to seek more information, which they received, and now that they have this information and should be able to make an intelligent decision yes or no; up or down, Mr. Campana decides to pull the ordinance. I hold no personal grudge against Clem, but this and other tactics from years past gives one the impression that there might be a personal agenda at stake here. It just stinks. Vote on the legislation, yes or no. All our councilman should be afforded the opportunity to perform their duties as legislators, not to have them hijacked.
In response to the actions displayed during last week’s meeting Mayor Tutunjian has now called a special meeting for Tuesday February 23 at 7pm in the second floor conference room of the new City Hall. Hopefully this time the eight elected officials, who were not included in the process of removing the ordinance, will be granted the opportunity of accepting or not accepting the proposed sale of the parking structure. But then again we are speaking of the Troy City Council...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
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.
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