It's been a rough month for many of us. From germs and sickness going around, the actions we are seeing from ICE, and the storm last week, it has been a lot. I hope that everyone can find some peace and warmth so that we can all be in good form to push forward.
Speaking of pushing forward, I stand with Minnesota who is doing just that! I am angry, sad, and terrified by what is happening, including the preventable murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Please take this as a reminder that we are all human, and all deserve life, liberty, and happiness.
Onto local items! Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions or issues with the snow, trash, etc. Local government works best when there is feedback so I hope I was able to address what you all needed. If you would like to review my update on BESS systems, it's been added to the website.
If you missed the Council meeting on Jan 22, you can watch it on YouTube.
The Troy Community Land Bank has been doing amazing work in District 2! I had the opportunity to help them paint some of the units they are getting back into good working order at 871 River St to increase housing stock in Troy. They also just opened up a paid internship if anyone is interested! The posting is not on their website yet, but is on the Facebook page.
Official City, Neighborhood, and District Meetings:
Thurs, Feb 5 - 7pm - Regular City Council Meeting - Council Chambers - 433 River St. Troy, NY. We will be addressing Good Cause Eviction, Video Conferencing, and more. Agenda can be found in the Agenda Center.
Tues Feb 10 - 7pm - Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association Meeting - Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club - 501 4th Ave, Troy, NY - Special guest this month is Brad Lewis from the Troy Community Land Bank.
Thurs Feb 19 - 6pm - Council Finance Meeting - No Agenda is set yet, but will be in agenda center.
Sun Feb 22 - 9 - 11 am - District 2 Office Hours - TheGoat Kreations - 829 River St, Troy, NY - I will be at a table at this newly opened local restaurant for a couple of hours so you can come say hello, ask questions, etc. There will also likely be coffee and snacks!
Community Events: (February seems to be a slow month!)
Sun Feb 15 - 1:30pm - 518 Craft Book Club - 518 Craft - 200 Broadway, Troy, NY - In honor of Black History Month, this month's book is Kindred, by Octavia Butler.
Sun Feb 15 - 2:45pm - Book Swap - 518 Craft - 200 Broadway, Troy, NY - After this month's book club, we will be doing a book swap for anyone who would like to participate! Please bring any books that you no longer want, already read, etc. and plan to take a few new titles home! Anything left over will be donated between the Troy Public Library and local non profits (TBD until they confirm with me).
Fri Feb 20, 4 - 7pm - Seed Swap - Sanctuary for Independent Media - 3361 6th Ave, Troy, NY Annual Seed Swap at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Bring seeds to share or just take some home to grow.
To help us think of nicer weather, and maybe have a goal to work towards through these next few months, might I suggest you consider the annual Joe Manupella 5K in May? Registration is open for the 9th Annual Joe Manupella Memorial Run which will take place on May 9th. I ran it last year, and plan to do so again. There is also a 1 mile option. (Please note I am not a runner, but it's for a good cause, and it is a flat course, so I encourage you to try!) If you are not up for running, they will also need volunteers for the the after party and raffle.
Thank you,
Shikole Struber
Troy City Council District 2